The Original 5-Star Ratings

Forbes Travel Guide's professional inspectors visit every hotel, restaurant and spa that we rate. Our in-depth hotel inspections span two nights and three days.

We evaluate each property against up to 800 objective criteria with an emphasis on service.

Our inspectors are completely anonymous at all times, so that they can be sure they experience the same level of service and amenities that the average guest would.

Forbes Travel Guide, formerly Mobil Travel Guide, created the original 5-star rating system in 1958. ForbesTravelGuide.com is the only place you’ll find the complete directory of Forbes Travel Guide Star Rated properties.

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Luxurious minimalism in Milan

The first Hyatt hotel on Italian soil, Park Hyatt Milan is landmark of Milanese style and elegance. Appointed in warm, porous Italian travertine limestone and black marble inlay, the 1,032-square-foot palazzo dates from 1870 — it was once a bank.

The exterior is Baroque elegance at its finest, while inside the boutique hotel luxurious minimalism reigns. It opens onto Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, a glass-encased, 19th-century shopping arcade dotted with luxury boutiques and restaurants bridging the historic Teatro alla Scala opera house with the gothic Duomo cathedral. Its centrality to the city's cultural landmarks and luxury quarter makes it walkable, even in stilettos.

The 34 intimate standard rooms range from 377 to 409 square feet, while 47 deluxe rooms swing from 430 to 603 square feet. Its 25 suites begin at 538 square feet and cap out at 2,905 square feet (the Presidential Suite) — all have warm wood furnishings, walk-in closets, a safe, a mini-bar and large bathrooms with Italian marble and bespoke Italian beauty brand products by Laura Tonatto.

Many suites in the Milan hotel boast private, outdoor terraces such as the Duomo Suite — this one in particular is coveted for its secluded patio, which has a gold-leaf-tiled Jacuzzi overlooking the Duomo’s marble saints, gargoyles, and gothic spires.

The Spa

The recently refurbished subterranean spa provides customized beauty and body regiments through an exclusive partnership with luxury French beauty house Sisley. A relaxation area features segregated steam rooms and a whirlpool laid with 250,000 24-carat gold-leaf tiles. Three private treatment rooms are outfitted with showers, including a private spa suite with a Turkish bath.

Its most popular body massage treatments, in 50 or 80-minute increments, use Sisley’s Crème Phyto-Aromatique line. The gym up-to-date Technogym cardio and strength machines, including a Kinesis rack.

The Food

Ground-floor eateries were recently renovated by architect Flaviano Capriotti to have clean furnishings, layout and design. Food options are anchored by the acclaimed Restaurant Vun (which means “one” in Milanese dialect), where chef Andrea Aprea presents gourmet dinner knockouts based on his native Neapolitan culinary roots, such as the popular antipasto, the sweet and salted caprese salad with innovative tomato and mozzarella contrasts. The intimate 32-seat dining room is annexed by a private room for 10 people.

Cupola is the lobby lounge — a 30-foot glass dome sheltering lounge seats — and leads to the bar Mio, which features Italian and international breakfast, lunch and dinner menus. Mio Bar Mixologists mix up bespoke drinks, notably 12 varieties of Bloody Marys infused with ingredients such as sage, saffron, rosemary and Dijon mustard.

Sample these at the bar’s outdoor terrace (from spring to autumn) during the legendary Milanese happy hour, aperitivo.

The Extras

A 24-hour concierge oversees personalized services such as babysitting, culture tours or shopping at the Golden Quadrilateral luxury quarter. The luxury hotel can also arrange a meet-and-greet at the Milan airport for those who want to be quickly whisked away.

Its dog program includes pet amenities such as a soft pillow bed and fresh mineral water served in designer bowls. Pet sitter services are available for all furred, finned and feathered friends, too.